THE  WORD

Jack Davis

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11

THE PROMINENT PUBLICATION

“THY WORD:” There is nothing quite like the wonderful Word of God. It is an undeniable, unquestionable proclamation of God’s great love. There is no measuring its far reaching value, which is beyond comparison to anything else ever written. To me its special value is in the way it expresses and reveals the very heart of God.

God has spoken and is still speaking. We read in II Pet. 1:21 “…holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” II Tim. 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable…” unto spiritual completion. What other publication has the right to make such claims?

God’s Word  has recorded the things that happened to humanity here before us, giving us samples or examples, to admonish (instruct and warn) us at the end of this age I Cor. 10:11. There is nothing written that stays so up-to-date. Rom. 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” As we read in the Word of our Father’s faithfulness in preceding generations, it renews, rekindling our hope.

How thankful we should be for His “true and faithful sayings” Rev. 22:6-7. They certainly are “worthy of all acceptation…” I Tim. 1:15. Believing mankind is highly favored to have the scriptures, and are so exceedingly blessed in keeping them.

TO BE HEARD: God’s Word was spoken to be heard, for faith comes by hearing, Rom. 10:17-18. We read repeatedly in Revelation 2 & 3, “He that hath an ear, let him hear…” Jesus said, “Take heed therefore how ye hear…” Lk. 8:18 and “Let these sayings sink down into your ears…” Lk. 9:43-44.

WE ARE TO HEED: How wise to pay close attention to God’s Word. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word” Ps. 119:9. In Psalm 45:10-11, we find the bride beautified by hearkening. Considering and inclining her ear. Peter was inspired to write, we “do well” to take heed. Paul wrote, we “ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard.” Namely from God’s Word. The good seed of the Word should be given lodging in pliable soil of our hearts. When we are receptive to the Word, it cleanses our way, effecting our walk and talk, correcting our course, checking us with spiritual reminders.

TO BE HID: It is important for us to hear the Word and heed is, especially for the purpose of hiding it in our heats. We get the thought from our text of that which is valued and laid up. I deeply appreciate one translation of this verse, “I have treasured, what thou hast said.”

PERMANENT PLACEMENT

IN OUR HANDS: It is good to take the Word of God in our hands, and as it were, “handle, the word of life.” What a privilege to hold fast and hold forth that which has been held out to us. As we reach out for the Word, draw it to ourselves, and embrace it to our bosoms, it in turn becomes a “rod and staff” which comforts us and a sword with which we may advance upon the enemy, by the Spirit’s guidance, for “It is written.”

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” Psalm 119:105. As the Word of life is held as a lamp before us, our vision is focused to follow His wise guidance. See. Prov. 4:18.

IN OUR HEAD: “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” Ps. 119:15-16,130.

It is a common courtesy to give serious consideration to the letters sent to us by our acquaintances that have taken the time to write. How blessed we are to have the opportunity to read our Father’s letters of love for mankind. It is so important to search the scriptures, and seek His wisdom as for hid treasure. I do not see it as a bad thing to get God’s Word in our head by repetition, memorization or meditation. Especially if it is preparation for precious placement in our Hearts.

IN OUR HEARTS:  Where God would place His Word for reality, by revelation. The heart is often thought of as a sacred place, as the center of our being, for out of it are the issues of life. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” Our hearts are a secret place, “Only God looketh upon the heart.” His Word discerns the thoughts and intents of our heart.

There is for us depth of meaning, glorious heights that would be otherwise impossible and unfathomable riches, as we give what God has said, the honored place in our heart and lives.  We do well to recognize the importance, acknowledge the authority, and submit to the precepts of this marvelous book, but expressly allowing it to become part of us.

THE PRESERVING PURPOSE

“That I might not sin against thee:” Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me” Psa. 119:133. Sin is said to be missing the mark. We read, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Without God’s Word we all would miss out on God’s ultimate purpose for our being here. Apostle Paul was inspired to pray that saints be “filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye (we) might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing…” Col. 1:9-10.

We are admonished to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” Col. 3:16. In other words, let it be at home in us in all its wealth. Can we by the Spirit digest His thoughts, so as to become entirely acquainted with His will and ways? God not only makes known unto us His will and ways, but it is His purpose that they become ours. It is one thing to be aware of what pleases God, but with His Word dwelling in us richly, His will and good pleasure becomes ours. II Cor. 3:3 expresses how this is all possible. He writes His word, by His Spirit, in the tables of our heart. GLORY, GLORY, GLORY TO GOD!